How Tariffs Can Impact Car Repairs

Tariffs have been injected into the national consciousness lately. From fruits and vegetables to your automotive repairs and regular services, they can have a surprise impact on the prices of everyday things. But how can a tariff on Mexico or China impact the prices around and ? Below, the team at Kempthorn Motors will explain the connection between tariffs, parts, and services.

Understanding the Link Between Tariffs and Car Repairs

At the heart of the automotive repair industry is the supply chain of parts and components. Many parts that mechanics use in repairs are imported from overseas, particularly from countries with large automotive manufacturing sectors, such as Japan, South Korea, Germany, and China. When the U.S. government imposes tariffs on these foreign-made parts, the costs for those parts increase. This price hike often gets passed on to customers in the form of higher service fees. Below, we’ll explain how these costs trickle through the system in several ways.

Increased Cost of Replacement Parts

Cars consist of thousands of parts, and many of these are not manufactured domestically. For example, essential components like engines, transmissions, or specialized electronics are often imported, whereas individual auto parts may cross over multiple borders in the process of their creation. When tariffs are imposed on these imported goods, the cost of these parts rises, meaning auto repair shops must pay more for what they need to complete repairs.

With higher costs for auto parts from tariffs, mechanics and service centers typically increase their service fees to cover the costs. For consumers, this results in higher bills for even basic maintenance tasks as well as more significant repairs like engine replacements.

Extended Repair Times

Another way tariffs affect auto repair costs is by contributing to longer wait times for auto parts to arrive. Tariffs can disrupt global supply chains, causing delays in shipping and production. In some cases, auto repair shops might have to wait weeks or even months for certain imported components. During this time, the shop must either rely on less efficient or more expensive alternatives or, in the worst-case scenario, postpone repairs altogether.

These delays can increase labor costs, especially when mechanics need to spend additional time sourcing or awaiting parts. This in turn raises the total cost of repairs for consumers, making routine maintenance more expensive and less predictable.

Price Volatility

Tariffs often fluctuate based on political and economic conditions, meaning that automotive repair prices can experience periods of volatility. A tariff imposed today may be reduced or lifted tomorrow, which can lead to fluctuating costs for both parts and services. This unpredictability makes it harder for consumers to plan their repair budgets and increases the risk of sudden price hikes.

The Service Center at Kempthorn Motors Is Always Available for You

Tariffs on automotive parts and components can have far-reaching effects on the cost of car repairs and services. However, they don’t have to impact you quite as much when you take advantage of the expert-staffed parts and service centers at Kempthorn Motors. Our seasoned team will work to get you the parts and components necessary for your service and repairs as quickly as we can. And when you utilize our service specials, you can save even more money. Reach out to our service team today if you have any questions or schedule service today and let our team do the hard part of car maintenance for you.